Flushing-valve mechanism



P. HAAS FLUSHING VALVE MECHANISM Filed Nov. 1 1926 3 Sheetsheet 1 w% 33a 33 35b 0 4 m 10 I 'j .9 1.9 s g. I

s Sheets-Shed 2 Filed Nov. .1926

INVENTOR Filed Nov. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 QLwEYQ/ENTOR TTOREY Y Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

UNITED vsrnriazs PHILIP HAAS, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

FLUSHING-VALVE MECHANISM.

Application filed November 16, 1926. Serial No. 148,640.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment thereof, and a slight modification of the same, and said invention is fully disclosed'in the following description and claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a very simple and efiicient flushing valve mechanism for flushing tanks, which is es pecially adapted for the purpose of replacing the defective or worn flushing valve mechanism in tanks already in use, special means being provided to compensate for variations in the various tanks with which it may be used. and to secure the desired operation of the valve mechanism in each case, it being understood that the apparatus described may be also employed as an original installation in a tank constructed with special reference to its use in connection therewith, if desired, and my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, 7

'Fig. 1 represents a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a tank of ordinary construction showing my improved apparatus installed therein, as a replacement in lieu of the ordinary flushing valve mechanism originally employed therewith.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the tank so equipped. V

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a valve seat forming part of my apparatus and cemented in place within the discharge or flushing aperture for the tank.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the manner in which I prefer to attach the flushing valve stem to th-e'valve operating lever.

' Fig. 5 is a detail sectional viewshowing the counterweight for the valve actuating lever, and means for adjustably connecting it with the lever.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the counterweight showing the lever in cross-section, and representing in dotted lines the position to swing the counterweight in changing its adjustment with respect to the lever.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view show ing the operating rock shaft for the valve operating lever, and the means for supporting and actuating the same.

Fig. 8 represents a slight modification of the operating handle.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the lever supporting bracket shown in Figs. 1 and 2. r

Fig. 10 representsa section on line 10-10 of Fig. 9. i

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of a sleeve supporting disc which I prefer-to employ in connection with the bearing sleeve for the rock shaft. i Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the same. 7 Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the bearing sleeve shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the same.

Fig. 15 is a detail view showing a slightly modified form of operating lever andmcans for supporting the same.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view on line 16-16 F In the use of flushing tanks as-ordinarily constructed, the valve seat surrounding the discharge or flushing aperture in the bottom of the tank frequently becomes-corroded or roughened, so that the valve which is usually in the form of a ball or plug having a spherical seat engaging portion no longer accurately engagesthe seat, and a continual leakage of water from the tank results. Such a condition cannot be repaired byinserting a new valve, and the removal of the fitting containing the valve seat for replacement or repair is not onlv expensive, but

necessitates an interruption of use of the tank for a considerable period. For other reasons it is often desirable to install new flushing valve mechanism in a tank already in use, and my invention is particularly applicable to this purpose.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 represents a flushing tank of any ordinary or usual construction, provided with a discharge aperture, 2, inthe bottom of which is located a fitting, 3, provided with a valve seat, 4, and connected with a flushingpipe, 5, leading to the bowl to be flushed, Such a fitting is usually provided with a lateral tubular portion indicated at G, to receive a vertical overflow pipe, not shown, and the tank is provided with the usual water inlet pipe; 7, controlled byan inlet valve indicated at 8, operated by a float lever, 9, and float, 10, all of which parts are of known construction, and form no part of my present invention. As the valve which I prefer to employ in carrying out my present inven tion is provided with a hollow valve stem which forms-an overflow pipe for the tank,

I- prefer to remove the usual overflow pipe from the fitting, 3, as indicated in Fig. 1, and to close the tubular portion, 6, by means of cement, as indicated at 6 or otherwise. here the valve seat is corroded, roughened or worn, I prefer to install a separate valve seat provided in a ring, indicated at 11, and shown enlarged in section in Fig. 3, the said ring being formed preferably of a non-corrodible material, such as bakelite for example, provided with an exterior cylindrical portion indicated at 11 and an outwardly extending flange, indicated at 11 and having a tapered seat portion, 11, on its interior. If the cylindrical portion, 11, will fit frictionally within the fitting, 3, with which the tank may be provided, this ring, 11, can be pressed in and will be frietionally held within said fitting, but in cases where the ring does not so fit, as where the fitting is provided with an outwardly flared valve seat portion, 4, as herein shown, the ring, 11, is secured in the fitting by means of plastic cement, as indicated at 11, so as to be firmly held in the fitting. This is readily accomplished by applying the cement to the valve seat portion, 4, of the fitting, and pressing the ring downwardly until the angular edges indicated at 11 and 11 come in contact with the fitting, the cement, 11, being thereby compressed within the recess formed between the ring, 11, and the flared portion, 4, of the fitting, 3, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, thus securing the ring firmly in position, forming a water-tight joint between it and the fitting. In connection with this ring I preferably employ a hollow cup-shaped valve, 12, having a hemispherical or tapering seat engaging portion, such as is described for example in my former application for Letters Patent of the United States filed March 16, 1926, and given Serial No. 95,007, said valve being formed of soft rubber with an interior cylindrical sleeve indicated at 13, into which is inserted a hollow valve stem, 14, the lower end of the valve within said sleeve being provided with discharge apertures indicated at 15, and the valve being provided at its apex with a downwardly extending pin or projection, 16, to prevent it from being accidentallyswung out of alignment with the valve seat. The valve, 12, is also provided with radial webs indicated at 17, connecting the sleeve, 13, with the outer wall of the valve, as shown in Fig. 1. The particular details of this valve form no part of my present invention, and will not be specifically claimed herein. The hollow valve stem, 14, extends upwardly to a point slightly above the normal water level of the tank when the valve is seated, as shown in Fig. 1, and forms the overflow pipe for the tank. The upper end of the hollow valve stem is provided with opposite holes,

18, see Fig. 4, to receive a cotter pin, 19, which extends therethrough and through one of a series of holes, 20, in a connector plate, 21, the upper end of wiich provided with a horizontal elongated locking aperture, 22. All tanks as at present constructed are provided in the wall thereof, and usually in the front wall with an aperture square in cross-section, indicated at 23, in Fig. 7, for example, to receive the valve actuating means which may be of one kind or another. I employ this same aperture in connection with my invention, and provide an externally threaded bearing sleeve, 24, having a squared head, 25, of less diameter than the aperture, 23. In connection with this sleeve I employ a sleeve supporting disc or washer, 26, formed of very thin metal, having a marginal portion for engaging the front face of the tank, and a squared recess or socket, 26, to substantially fit within the aperture, 23, and to receive the head, 25, of the bearing sleeve, 24 said disc being provided with a circular aperture, 26*, in the 7 bottom or" the recess through whichv the sleeve, 24, may extend. The head of the sleeve, therefore, lies wholly within the recess, 26", and does not project beyond the outer face of the marginal portions of the disc, 26. I also provide on the inner side of the tank wall a bracket, 27, having a squared or rectangular struck-up flanged portion, 28, to engage the aperture, 23, and provided with a hole, 29, through which the threaded sleeve, 24, passes, the bracket being secured in position on the inner side of the tank wall by a nut, 30, engaging the sleeve, 24. When this nut is screwed up, the engagement of the squared head, 2, of the sleeve with the recess, 26", of the disc, 26, and the engagen'ient of the exterior of the recess with the walls of the rectangular hole, 23, prevents the sleeve from turning, and obviates the necessity of using a wrench on the front end of the sleeve. The inner end of the bracket, 27, is provided withmeans for pivotally supporting a valve actuating lever. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 9, the bracket is shown provided with parallel flanges, 31, having apertures, 31*, therein to receive a cotter pin, 32, which passes through a hole in the valve actuating lever, 33. As shown in Fig.2, the bracket, 27, is of such length that it will support the lever, 33, in substantial alignment with the vertical axis of the valve and its stem, but I prefer to make the bracket of a ductile metal so that it may be bent slightly if necessary to insure that the arm of the lever, 33, adjacent to the flushing valve will be supported exactly over the center of the valve when seated. This arm of the lever, which I term the lifting arm, has its outer end portion formed ofgreater diameter vertically than laterally, as shown in Fig. 4

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for example, and its upper surface is provided with a plurality of notches, 33, to be engaged by the locking aperture, 22, in the upoer end of the connector plate, 21. The

looting aperture, 22, pnferably has a horizontal width substantially equal to the vertical width of the notched portion of the lever, 33, and a vertical width but little greater than the'horizontal width of said lever. It follows from this construction that when the connector plate, 21, is placed in engagement with one of the notches, 33 it cannot be disengaged or shifted from one notch to another without turning it into a horizontal position, so that the locking aperture, 22, prevents any accidental shifting of the .connector plate longitudinally of the lever, while the notches provide a ready means of adjustment of the valve with respect to the lever to accommodate different installations, and to insure that'the valve shall hang in a position substantially coaxial with the valve seat. It is not important that the valve shall be absolutely in coaxial relation with the valve seat, however, as the shape of the valve insures a perfect seating thereof on the valve seat even though the valve may not be absolutely perpendicular, and the flexibility .of the side walls of the valve which are subjected to the pressure of the water in thetank further contributes to the making of aperfectly tight joint when the valve is seated. The opposite end of the lever, 33, is constructed in the same manner as just described, and is provided with a plurality of notches indicated at 33 to receive a connector plate, 34, having a locking aperture, 35, therein, of the same shape and form the locking aperture, 22, as previously described, the connector plate, 34, serving to support a small counterbalance weight, indicated at 35, which is preferably made of a non-corrosive material, such as porcelain, and is provided with a vertical slit through which the connector plate, 34, is passed. and secured for example by bending the lower end, as at 36, or otherwise. When the apparatus is installed in a tank, and the connector plate, 21, has been adjusted with respect to the notches, 33, so to support the valve centrally or coaxially with respect to the valve seat, the counterbalance weight, 35 will be adjusted longitudinally on the other end of the lever, 33, which can be accomplished by moving the connector plate into horizontal position, and shifting it from one notch, 33*, to another until the valve andits stem are substantially. counterbalanced, wvhen the and the tank is full, as set forth in my former application above referred to, which adjustment will depend upon the position occupied by theconnector plate, 21, with respect to the fulcrum of the'lever, 33. 1 also prefer to provide valve is submerged inwater means for limiting the upward movement of the valve, and in the form of my invention under consideration, this is conveniently effected by providing the bracket, 27, with a stop indicated at 37, on the side of the pivot toward the counterweight, but

this may alsobe accompli hed in other ways.

For the purpose of operating the" valve actuating lever, I prefer to employ a rock shaft, as indicated at 38 in Fig. 7,'which extends through the bearing sleeve, 24, in the side wall ofthe tank, and is provided on the exterior of the tank with an operating handle, and within the tank with a crank arm, 39, which extends above one arm of the lever, 33, to wit, the arm adjacent to the counterweight, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 7 In thisinstance I have shown the rock shaft, 38, provided on the outside of the tank with a handle comprising a porcelain hub, 40, provided with a longitudinal recess, 40, to receive the exterior end of the shaft, 38, and with a flange, 41,to engage the marginal portions of the disc, 26, and lie as close as possible to the face of the tank. This hub, 40, is preferably provided with an operating arm, 42, depending therefrom, and preferably made integral'therewith', as shown in Fig. 7, said arm and hub being provided with a longitudinal screw hole, 43, comunicating with the shaft recess in the hub and disposed transversely thereto, said screw hole being counterbored, as indicated at 44, to receive and conceal the head of the screw, 45, which passes through'th'e screw hole, 43, and through a transverse threaded aperture, 38*, in the shaft, 38, thus locking the porcelain hub, 40, and operating arm, 42, to the shaft, and providing an operating handle therefor. The shaft, 38, is pressed into the sleeve, 24, until the flange, 41', of the handle is in close contact with the -disc, 26, and is secured in the sleeve in that position in any suitagle manner which will permit the rotation of the shaft in the sleeve. In this instance I have shown the shaft, 38, provided with a cotter pin, 48, extending through an aperture therein, and engaging the inner end of the sleeve, 24. In some instances I may form the operating arm, 42, separately from the hub,'as indicated for example in Fig. 8, in which the hub indicated at 140, is provided with the shaft recess in dicated at 140, and a lateral aperture, 143*, communicating therewith. The hub, 140, is also provided with an annular recess, 140", surrounding the lateral aperture, 143*,

to receive the end of a porcelain arm, 142,

and an intervening washer, 140, said handle being provided with a longitudinal hole, 143, for an attaching screw, 145, said hole preferably counterboredas shown at 144, to

accommodate the head of the screw, 145.'

The screw, 145, extends loosely through the lateral aperture, 143*,in the=hub,'*140, and

beinglOO engages a threaded aperture, 13-, in the rock shaft, 138, thereby securing the hub and handle in position with respect to the rock shaft, in both instances the weight of the depending arm of the handle 4-2, or 1&2, serves to hold the crank, 39, above and out of contact with the lever, 33, as clearly shown in Fig. 7.

It will be understood that when the parts have been properly assembled, as previously described, and the tank is filled with water to the normal water level, indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 1, the downward pressure on the valve holds it seated, and no water will be discharged from the tank. Toeflect a flushing action of the tank it is only necessary to rock the rock shaft, 38, by means of the handle, 12, (or 142), in either direction, thus causing the crank, 39, to depress the arm of the lever adjacent to the counterbalance weight, and lifting the valve from its seat. The valve being substantially counterbalanced when submerged will remain in any position to which it is moved, and the water in the tank will be discharged through the flushing pipe, 5. As soon as the water has run out sufficiently to carry the water level below the valve so that the valve is no longer supported in part by the water, the valve and its contained water becomes heavier than the counterweight, and the valve will start to descend until it again seats itself in the ring, 11, thus stopping the discharge of water from the tank." The float, 10, will descend as the water level is lowered, thus opening the inlet valve, 8. in a well known way, and the incoming water after the flushing valve closes or seats, will refill the tank to the normal water level leaving the parts in position to repeat the flushing operation. Should the valve descend too quickly in closing, its descent may be retarded and the duration cffthe flush increased, by adjusting the counterweight in a direction toward the outer end of its arm of the lever, .33, and conversely should the valve close too slowly and the flush continue longer than desired, this may be corrected and the duration of flush shortened by adjusting the counterweight toward the fulcrum of the lever, 33. It will thus be seen that the lever, 33, is provided with two adjustments, one with respect to the valve to secure the co-aXial relation of the valve and its seat in different installations, and the other with respect to the counterweight to adjust the weight with respect to the valve,

to secure the desired duration of the flushing when the valve is open.

In Figs. 15 and 16, I have shown a slightly modified form of the lever and its supporting bracket. In these figures the lever is indicated at 133, and the bracket at 127. The central portion ofthe lever is provided with a flanged or grooved roll or pulley indicated at 131, provided with flanges, 132. This roll or pulley is slipped over the central portion of the lever, 133, before the end portions are flattened, and may be secured rigidly with respect to the lever in any desired manner. I accomplish this conveniently by bending the lever downwardly on both sides of the roll or pulley, as indicated at 150, and then bending the lever at both sides of these bent portions to bring the end portions in alignment with each other but below the center of the pulley, as clearly shown in Fig. 15. The outer end of the bracket, 127, is provided in this instance with an open recess, indicated at 151, having a curved bottom to receive the portion of the roll between the flanges, 132. This holds the lever with respect to the bracket, while permitting it to oscillate in either direction until the lower portion of either flange, 132, engages the adjacent face of the bracket, 127, which is preferably thinner than the curved portion of the roll between said flanges, as shown in Fig. 15. There are two advantages obtained by the use of this construction. the first place, the lever, 133, can be turned by the hand a quarter turn to enableeither of the connector plates here indicated at 121 and 134, and which are constructed as previously described with respect to the connectors, 21 and 34, to be shifted longitudinally ot' the lever, instead of making it necessary to swing either the valve or the cunterweight into a horizontal position to effect such an adjustment. In the second place, the lever, 133, with the valve and counterweight can be instantly lifted bodily out of the tank and replaced therein whenever desired without disconnecting any fastening means, as would be necessary where the lever is supported by a cotter pin, for example. The other parts illustrated in Fig. are constructed as hereinbefore described, and are indicated by corresponding numerals to which 100 is added I also provide convenient means for obtaining an after-fill where the pipe or valve herein shown is employed, in this instance I have shown for this purpose a flexible depending device indicated at 60, which may be a ball chain of small diameter for example, or other suitable depending device capable of lying between the valve and seat, and holding the valve slightly off of its seat during a portion of the time required to fill the tank, to produce an after-fill. In connection with this depending device, I also employ a rubber ring or washer indicated at 61, arovided with an aperture adapted to frictionally engage the float lever, 9, and which will also accommodate the depending device, 60. While this device is extremely'simple, it is likewise extremely efiicient, and is capable of two adjustments. The rubber. washer, 61, may he slid longitudinally on the lever to'any desired position, and the depending device, 60, may be drawn in either direction through the washer to adjust the length of the'depending portion. In practice, the de-Y' vice-is so adjusted that during a flushingaction as the float descends, this depending portion, 60, will be carried into thedischarge aperture of the tank by the rush of water,

so thatwhen the valve seats, the depending device, 60 will prevent the valve from ac-' curately seating. Asthe tankfills there will be a slight discharge of water between the valve and its'seat adjacent to the depending device, 60,sufiicient to produce the after-fill until the float, 10, hasraisedfar enough to withdraw the depending .device, 60, from engagement with the valve and its seat, so as to permit the valve to fully seat and shut-;

off :any further discharge of water from the tank. 1 I

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2+ :1; Flushing valve mechanismfor" a flush,

tank, provided with a flushing aperture and valve seat in its bottom wall, and an aper-'- ture in a vertical wall to receive a valve operating dev1ce,the combination with a sleeve supporting disc for. engaging the outer face of the tank wall, provided with a recess extending into the aperture therein, and havportion engaging said disc in close proximity to :the tankwall, and provided on itsinner end' witha lever engaging member, a pivoted lever supported within the tank in operative relation with said member, and a flushing valve suspended from said lever in operative relation with the valve seat,

2. I In flushing valve mechanism for a flush tank,provided with a valve seat-in its bot tom wall, and a polygonal aperture in a verticalwall to receive a valve operating de vice, the'combination of a sleeve supporting disc of thin material, provided with a polygonal recess adapted to fit the recess in said vertical wall of the tank, and having an aperture in the bottom of the recess, a hearing sleeve for engaging said aperture, provided with a polygonal head for en aging said recess, a securing'nut engaging a t readed portion of the sleeve within the tank, a rock shaft extending through said sleeve providedat its outer end with an operating handle, having a hub portion engaging the face of said disc in closeproximity with the wall of the tank, and provided at its inner end with a lever engaging portion, a pivoted lever supported in the tank adjacent to said lever engaging portion of the rock shaft, and a flushing valve. suspended from said lever in operative relation with the valve seat. e

3. In flushing valve mechanism for a flush tank, provided'with a: valve seat in its b0ttom wall, and a polygonal aperturein a vertical wall to receive a valve operating device, the combination of a-sleeve supporting disc of thin materiahprovided with a polygonal recess adapted to fit the recess in said vertical Wall of the tank, and having an aperture in thebottom ofthe recess, a'bearing sleeve for engaging said aperture, pro vided with a'polygonal head forenga'ging said recess, a securing nut engaging a threadedqportion of the sleevewithin the tank, a rock shaftv extending through said sleeve provided at its outer endwith an operating handle, having a hub portion provided with a recess to receive the rock shaft, and having a .face for engaging saiddisc, and lying in close proximity to the face of the tank Wall, 7

said hub being provided with an: arm portion having a longitudinal aperture'therein' communicatingwith the hub recess, a look ing screw extending through said aperture and into-the rock shaft, said rock shaft being provided within the tank with a retaining member engagingthe end of the sleeve, and with a lever operating portion, a pivotedlever supported within the tank in operative relation with 'therock shaft, and a flushing valve suspended from said lever in operative relation with the valve seat.

4. In a flushing valve mechanism for a flush tank, provided with a fitting in its bottom wall containing the flushing aperture and valve seat, a horizontally disposed lever, means for supporting it pivotally between its ends in the upper portion of the tank,

rocking said lever in a direction to lift the valve from its seat.

5. In a flushing valve mechanism for a v flush tank, provided with a fitting in its bottom wall containing the flushing aperture and valve seat, a horizontally disposed lever,

means for supporting it pivotally between its ends in the upper portion of the tank, with one end of said lever in alignment with the axis ofrthe flushing aperture, a flushing valve provided with suspending means for engaging said lever and adjustable longitudinally thereof to center said valve withrespect to the flushing aperture and valve seat, a counterweight provided with a suspending device for engaging the other arm of the lever and adjustable longitudinally thereof, to accommodate the adjustments of the valve suspending device with respect to the lever, and manually operated means for rocking said lever in a direction to lift thevalve from its seat, the end portions of said lever arms having their greater diameters in a vertical direction, and provided with notches on their upper faces, and said suspending devices being provided with locking apertures having th ir greater diameters in horizontal direction for engaging the notched portions of said lever, and preventing-the accidental movement of said suspending devices with respect to the lever.

6. In a flushing valve for a flush tank provided with afitting in its bottom wall containing a flushing aperture and valve seat, a bracket supported by the tank within the. same and provided with a supporting recess open at the top, a horizontally dis-- posed lever within the tank having a portionbetween its ends mounted in said recess, for supporting said lever in alignment with the aXis of the flushing aperture, a. flushing valve connected with said lever on one side of its support, and adjustable longitudinally of said lever to center the said valve with respect to the flushing aperture and valve seat, a counterweight connected with the lever on the other side of its support and adjustable longitudinallythereof to accommodate the adjustments of the valve I longitudinally of the lever, and manually operated means for locking said lever in a direction to lift said valve from its seat, whereby said lever may be disengaged from said sup orting recess and lifted from the tank wit said valve and counterweight for repair or adjustment.

7. In a flushing valve for a flush tank provided with a fitting in its bottom wall containing a flushing aperture and valve seat, a bracket supported by the tank within the same and provided with a supporting recess open at the top, a horizontally disposed lever within the tank having a portion between its ends provided with a bearing device having a grooved portion for engaging the recessed portion of the bracket and having downwardly extending. flanges to prevent the longitudinal movement of the lever with respect to the bracket, the engagement of the bearing device and bracket serving to hold a portion of said lever in alignment with the axis of the flushing aperture, a flushing valve connected with said lever one side of its support and adjustable longitudinally of said lever to center the said valve with respect to the flushing aperture and valve seat, a counterweight connected with the lever on the other sideof its support and adjustable. longitudinally thereof to accommodate the adjustments of. the valve longitudinally of the lever, and. manually operated means for rocking said valve and counterweight bodily from the tank for repair or adjustment.

8. In a flushing valve for a flush tank provided with a fitting in its bottom wall containing a flushing aperture and valve seat, a bracket supported by the tank within the same and provided with a supporting recess open. at the top, a horizontally disposed lever within the tank havinga portion between its ends, provided with a bear ing spool having a grooved portion for. en-. gaging the recessed portion ofthe bracket, and having downwardly extending flanges toprevent the longitudinal movement of the lever with respect to the bracket, one of said flanges being constructed to engage a portion of the bracket to limit the rocking movement of the lever in a direction to open the valve, a flushing valvev connected with said lever on one side of its support, and adjustable longitudinally of said lever to center the said valve with respect to the flushing aperture and valve seat, a counterweight connected with the lever. on the other side of its support and adjustable longitudinally thereof to accommodate the adjustments of the valve longitudinally of the lever, and manually operated means for rocking said lever in a direction to lift said valve from itsseat, whereby said lever may be lifted to disengage said bearing spool from said bracket and may be removed with the connected valve and counterweight from the tank for repair or adjustment.

9. In a flushing valve for a flush tank provided with a fitting in its bottom wall containing a flushing aperture and valve seat, a bracket supported by the tank within the same and provided with a supporting recess open at the top, a horizontally disposed lever within the tank having a portion between its ends provided with a bearing spool having a grooved portion for engaging the recessed portion of said bracket,

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and flanges extending beyond the recess therein to engage the bracket and prevent the longitudinal movement of the lever with respect to the bracket, a flushing valve pro vided with suspending means. therefor, en gaging one arm of said lever and adjustablelongitudinally thereon, and a counterbalance weight provided with a suspending device and engaging the other arm of said lever, and adjustable longitudinally thereof, whereby said lever with the valve and counterweight may be lifted bodily from the tank,

the end portions of said lever having their greatest diameter in a vertical direction, and provided on their upper faces with notches, and said suspending devices having locking apertures therein for engaging the lever, said apertures having their Vertical diame ters less than the vertical diameter of the adj acent portion of the lever, and their horizontal diameters substantially equal to the vertical diameter of the lever, whereby said lever may be rotated on its longitudinal axis to permit of the adjustment of said suspending devices with respect thereto, the arm portions of said lever on opposite sides of the bearing spool being located in a horizontal plane below the horizontal plane of the axis of said spool when in operative position, whereby the weight of the valve and counterweight will prevent the accidental rotation of said lever, and maintain the 20 parts in adjusted relation.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' PHILIP HAAS. 

